Once Upon a Story [ SLOW UPDATES ]

Her Library

This is from March. It's taken from my Amino account. My motivation made a switch to reading, so I've put writing on hold for a while. About that: anyone interested in books placed in Ancient Greece? Yes? Check out The Will of the Many by James Islington (currently reading chapter 42 and stressing✨🥹). It took a moment for me to like it since I'm used to reading more action-heavy books, but it grew on me.

It's one of those stories that makes you think with the protagonist on top of questioning everyone and everything. You can't just side with *undisclosed protag😂* and it ends there. Everyone has a past that motivates their actions, but they also have secrets that play into their interactions. It's great. But I'm rambling, so I'll end this here.

Enjoy this little story ☽

Word count: 594
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The corridors are endless, and most lead nowhere. The stairs swirl in circles, and the bookshelves gather in a mesmerizing maze. The place is a wreck yet perfectly organized in a cacophonic symphony.

A chaotic neutral.

"Reading again?" a girl noted, staring at the ceiling. A voice giggles back. "The plot thickened, and now I have the urge to throw my book."

Wearing oversized sweats and a hoodie, she sits on a couch, legs curls to her chest. "I didn't think you'd come looking for me. Usually, you're busy writing."

"I thought I'd take a break," the girl replies from the ground below. "My wrists are sore. But tell me, how long have you been reading?"

"3 hours?"

"You're just as bad as I am. Maybe worse. How do you stay up there for so long?"

"Silly Naru, this place is a world of wonder. The rules are what you wish them to be," she saunters down to her. "I could have the place swarm with water and still breathe without trouble."

"Why don't you?"

"Floating around is rather annoying."

Naru shakes her head with a faint chuckle. "You are special, Andrea."

"Why to thank you, good friend," she twirls, ending with a bow. "How can I help you?"

"I was curious. You spend so much time here, just like I do, in my study. I wondered why."

Andrea tosses her book up, and it stops in midair, hovering. A bookmark slides in and saves her page for later.

"This is my escape from reality. A world where stories breathe a new life."

"Isn't that the same when we write?" Naru asks.

"It's a bit different," Andrea starts, conjuring a book. The pages are blank but slowly fill with words as they turn. Naru blinks, lethargy taking over as she watches the world blur around her.

"When I read, the world disappears. Worries, troubles, whatever disrupts my peace is gone. My mind rests in the realm of the story, following the hero's adventures, cooing at lover's endeavours and laughing at sarcastic dialogue."

Naru didn't quite understand what she meant. "Then, is writing not liberating for you?"

"It is," Andrea affirms, closing the book. The bubble pops, flooding their senses with the chaos around them.

"When I feel too much sadness or anger, fearing what I might do, I write. Writing is not so much an escape as it is an outlet."

"As you can see from the library,"─she motions to the mess of books flying around─"my head gets very messy very quickly. When I write, I can organize everything. I can take the time to clear my head of everything it thinks about."

"I see." Naru holds one of the passing quills. "Writing pulls your thoughts out while reading mutes them."

Andrea smiles. "Bingo. Too much reading and my head won't stop thinking; too much writing and I grow tired and unmotivated."

Naru's eyes widen, understanding the constant mess in the area. "As long as it's never too empty or too full, your mind is balanced."

"Wow, read me like an open book."

The girls laugh until Naru clears her throat. "Do you mind showing me around?"

"If you're ready to stay here for a few days."

Naru debates the idea. She had a lot planned, but maybe a quick reading break was what she needed.

"I don't mind—Wow! Where are you taking me!"

Andrea tightly holds her hand as they speed through the maze.

"To my first book. The first time I sat down and decided I wanted to read."